With decades of experience in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. John Chiu provides patients with a range of treatment options as president of the California Spine Institute Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California. In addition to leading a career as a prominent spine surgeon, Dr. John Chiu is an accomplished martial artist. A grand master of kung fu, ninjitsu, and jujitsu, he has earned the International Martial Arts Living Legend Award and other accolades from the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame. In its efforts to recognize outstanding martial artists of all styles, the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame honors practitioners with awards in various categories. Candidates can be nominated for an award by anyone, but the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame Board is responsible for selecting award winners, based on set criteria. To be considered for an award, a nominee must have earned at least a black belt and made significant contributions to the martial arts community. Contributions can include serving as a role model to other martial artists, organizing tournaments and exhibitions, or winning national and international competitions. In addition to being accomplished in their field, nominees must demonstrate a strong moral character and a lifetime commitment to the martial arts. For more information about the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame, visit www.ima-halloffame.com.
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A spine surgeon in Thousand Oaks, California, Dr. John Chiu performs minimally invasive surgeries at California Spine Institute Medical Center, Inc. When he is not treating patients, Dr. John Chiu enjoys a number of hobbies in his free time, including practicing martial arts and playing the ukulele.
A four-stringed instrument, the ukulele traces its origins to Europe and was introduced in Hawaii in 1879 by Joao Fernandez, a Portuguese immigrant. When Fernandez got off the boat, he started singing and strumming with a branguinha, a small instrument similar to the guitar. The Hawaiians took notice of his skill on the fretboard and named the instrument the ukulele, which means “jumping flea.” The ukulele has made a comeback in recent years, with the National Association of Music Merchants reporting a 54 percent rise in sales of the instrument in 2013. This surge may be due to a number of factors, such as its affordability and its use by popular musicians. Some cities have even begun to host ukulele festivals, including Reno, Nevada; Port Townsend, Washington; and Rockville, Maryland. John C. Chiu, MD, a minimally invasive spine surgeon, serves as the president and medical director of the California Spine Institute Medical Center. An avid martial arts practitioner as well, John C. Chiu, MD, draws on an in-depth knowledge of its underlying philosophy. The philosophy of the Chinese martial arts focuses on the principles of discipline, mastery, and respect. The martial arts first require practitioners to develop command over their bodies and minds, so as to optimize performance potential. This command is only possible through efficiency and balance, rather than through maximum effort. This focus on balance extends to one's mental capacity as a martial arts practitioner. Balance in the martial arts is an active pursuit and requires the regular release of tension. This release allows for proper alignment and allows the body to consistently access its capabilities. When one has learned to access this balance and release, a practitioner can apply it to the use of martial skills. The martial arts hold that the principles of combat, once understood, can serve to end conflict and minimize harm rather than to hurt another person. This underlies the learning of all martial arts techniques. John C. Chiu, MD, is the founding chairman of the American Academy of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery and Medicine. A martial arts enthusiast away from work his obligations, John C. Chiu, MD, also enjoys playing the ukulele.
Developing good habits from the start can help you find success in learning to play the ukulele. Before beginning to play, it’s beneficial to always tune your instrument first. If you are trying to learn the chords to a new song when the ukulele isn’t in tune, you are more likely to get stuck. For best results, use an electronic tuner to tune each string. In addition to tuning your ukulele, using proper form is necessary. Poor posture can put unnecessary strain on your body. For the best posture, ensure you are sitting in an upright position with no arch in your back. An effective way to support your ukulele is by holding it right under your chest and using your forearm to keep it in place. The hand that you use to play the chords is the final support for the position of your ukulele. The medical director of the California Spine Institute Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California, John C. Chiu, MD, has more than 40 years of medical experience. In his free time, John C. Chiu, MD, enjoys playing the ukulele and the guzheng. An ancient Chinese instrument that is part of the zither family, the guzheng traces its roots back to the Warring Period of China more than 2,500 years ago. The modern-day guzheng consists of 21 to 25 strings stretched across moveable bridges on a wooden sound body. The guzheng player fastens a plectrum to each finger of the right hand for plucking. With the left hand, the player presses the other end of the string across the bridge in order to produce various tones. The younger generation often uses plectrums on both hands to play accompaniment and harmony. Some musicians even use sticks to play percussion on the guzheng, while others use a cello bow to incorporate sustained sounds and special effects with this versatile instrument. |
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